Ah, the mid-90s. A time when the Olsen twins weren't fashion moguls, but the undisputed queens of the direct-to-video market, their smiling faces beaming from countless brightly colored VHS boxes lining the shelves of Blockbuster and Hollywood Video. If you were a kid, had a kid, or just happened to be near a television set during that era, chances are you encountered one of their globe-trotting, mystery-solving, or just plain fun adventures. And How the West Was Fun (1994) is pure, unadulterated prime-era Olsen escapism, a made-for-TV movie that felt tailor-made for a worn-out rental tape and a bowl of popcorn on the living room floor.
### Double Trouble on the Dude Ranch
The premise is classic Olsen twin material: Jessica (Ashley) and Suzy (Mary-Kate) are city kids whisked away from their Philadelphia home to spend time at their late mother's godmother Natty's (played with warmth by Michele Greene) dude ranch out West. The ranch, charmingly named the 'Lazy ~. Ranch' (yes, that tilde is intentional!), is unfortunately facing foreclosure thanks to the schemes of greedy developer Bart Gifooley, brought to life with suitable cartoonish villainy by the wonderfully wry Martin Mull. Can the twins, with their plucky determination and penchant for getting into (and out of) scrapes, help save the day? You bet your ten-gallon hat they can.
Directed by Stuart Margolin, a familiar face from shows like The Rockford Files who also carved out a solid career directing television, the film doesn't aim for cinematic complexity. It knows exactly what it is: a vehicle for Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen. Jurgen Wolff's script provides a straightforward framework for fish-out-of-water gags, light adventure, and plenty of opportunities for the twins to showcase their established personas – Ashley often the slightly more sensible one, Mary-Kate the more impulsive tomboy. It’s a formula, sure, but one that resonated deeply with their young audience.
### That 90s Olsen Charm
Watching this now, it’s impossible not to be struck by the sheer phenomenon the Olsen twins were. They had an undeniable screen presence, a practiced rhythm honed over years on Full House and their burgeoning video empire. How the West Was Fun captures them right in that sweet spot – still kids, but seasoned professionals. Their delivery might occasionally feel rehearsed, but their energy is infectious, and their sibling chemistry sells the whole package. You believed they could charm grumpy ranch hands, outsmart a scheming developer, and maybe even learn to ride a horse along the way.
Martin Mull, a master of comedic smarm, is perfectly cast as Gifooley. He leans into the role without chewing the scenery too aggressively, providing just the right obstacle for our heroines. His plan involves finding hidden gold on the property – a plot point straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon, which feels entirely appropriate here. It’s the kind of uncomplicated conflict that allows the focus to remain squarely on the twins and their adventures.
### Retro Fun Facts: Sun, Stunts, and Schedules
This wasn't a big-screen blockbuster, but a TV movie that debuted on ABC in November 1994 before quickly finding its true home on VHS. Its production reflects that reality. While set in the American West, much of the filming actually took place in Alberta, Canada – a common cost-saving measure that still provided suitably picturesque mountain backdrops. Think of it as the Canadian Rockies doing their best impression of Wyoming!
The Olsens were big business by this point. These films were relatively inexpensive to make compared to theatrical features, yet incredibly lucrative thanks to the twins' massive fanbase gobbling up the VHS tapes. Reports suggest these direct-to-video features were pulling in tens of millions in sales, a staggering amount for the home video market at the time. The schedule was likely tight, working around the twins’ legally mandated limited working hours for child actors, demanding efficient filmmaking from Margolin and the crew. There's a certain charm to the practical effects and stunt work, too – nothing overly elaborate, just good old-fashioned pratfalls and horseback riding sequences that feel perfectly grounded in the film's lighthearted reality. Did anyone else desperately want one of those colourful Western shirts the twins sported after watching this?
### Comfort Food Cinema
Let's be honest, How the West Was Fun isn't going to win awards for groundbreaking narrative or deep thematic resonance. The plot is predictable, the jokes are gentle, and the resolution is never really in doubt. But that’s precisely its appeal. It’s cinematic comfort food, a warm hug from a simpler time. It delivers exactly what it promises: 90 minutes of easygoing family entertainment starring two of the era's biggest little stars. There’s a certain innocence to it, a lack of cynicism that feels refreshing today.
Watching it now evokes that specific feeling of 90s optimism and the uncomplicated joy of discovering a new adventure on a rented tape. It’s a reminder of a time when family entertainment often meant bright colours, straightforward stories, and the reliable charm of familiar faces. We weren't dissecting plot holes or demanding gritty realism; we were just happy to tag along with Jessica and Suzy as they saved the ranch.
Rating: 6/10
This score reflects exactly what How the West Was Fun is: a perfectly competent, charming, and enjoyable piece of 90s Olsen twin nostalgia. It achieves everything it sets out to do for its target audience, delivering lighthearted fun and adventure with its charismatic leads. It's not high art, nor does it pretend to be, but as a snapshot of a specific time and a specific brand of family entertainment, it holds up as a pleasant, feel-good watch.
For those who grew up with the Olsens, popping this tape (or, let's be real, streaming it now) feels like revisiting old friends for a harmlessly fun trip down memory lane – giddy up!